The Itsekiri leader argued that the “purported kidnap” was a “mere smokescreen” to rob her people of justice. She said the delayed judgment prompted the state government to continue building on the land.

The petition reads: “I suspect that the purported kidnap is a smokescreen meant to pervert the course of justice and hereby call for a probe. If the judge was indeed kidnapped, what has the government done about it? It needs to be conclusively proven that the kidnap was not make-believe. How can a Judge be seized so cheaply, when politicians have, not only thugs, but soldiers and policemen to guard them? Will this situation not intimidate our judges?”

Chief Ogbebor said although a top government official had apologised to the judiciary, but it was not enough to heal the wounds inflicted on the legal system.

She said: “I reiterate the call for a probe because the court is the last hope of the common man and our judges should not be made to operate in an atmosphere of intimidation, harassment and constant threat. The oath of office they took is to dispense justice without fear or favour and be impartial umpires.”

Chief Ogbebor expressed doubts over reports that Justice Okoh’s kidnappers had been killed by security agents. She said: “We need all the details to assure us that there is not more than meets the eye in the entire kidnap saga.

“I believe the police and the judiciary can save Nigeria, if they do their work well. In contributing my quota to the equilibrium and cohesion of society, I have resolved to head to court unless a probe panel is set up to look into the circumstances of the judge’s kidnap.”